Katie’s tear fears over allergy to water

Katie’s tear fears over allergy to water

Katie Dell is one of only 35 people in the world with a rare allergy to water

Katie Dell is one of only 35 people in the world with a rare allergy to water

Katie Dell is one of only 35 people in the world with a rare allergy to water.

The condition, called aquagenic urticaria, brings her out in a painful rash if she cries.

Katie, 27, also comes out in burning sores if she has a long bath or shower. She was even forced to give up her job as a dance teacher because her own sweat caused a reaction.

And she has revealed her condition is getting worse.

Katie said: “Sometimes I feel like a prisoner in my own home.

“I have days where I want to crawl into bed and cry but, of course, I can’t. Someone said I could die from it. But I don’t want to know about my life expectancy. Until they find a cure I just have to live with it. I’m taking each day as it comes.”

Katie’s symptoms began at 16 after she had her tonsils removed.

Doctors suspect the penicillin she was given may have changed the histamine levels in her body.

Her husband Andy, 32, has had to give up his job as a delivery driver to be her full-time carer.

Katie added: “People didn’t understand my condition and would give me a funny look when I told them I couldn’t shower. My con- dition is worsening but I don’t want to think about what I’ll be like in 10 or 15 years.

“Andy has been amazing and does all the things I’m not allowed to do, like the washing up.

“I have to be in and out of the bath in two minutes and Andy has to wash my hair for me.”

There is no cure but Katie, of Flint, Clwyd, is trialling a new drug used by transplant patients. It is hoped it will tell her body not to reject the water on her skin.